New Jersey Enacts Safe Patient Handling Act

In New Jersey — nurses, nurse aides, orderlies, and attendants have the highest number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work than other occupations.

Chronic back pain and other job-related musculoskeletal disorders contribute to the decision of nurses and other health care workers to leave their professions, which adds to the shortage of healthcare providers.

Studies show that manual patient handling and movement negatively affects patient safety, quality of care and patient comfort and satisfaction;

The American Hospital Association stated that work-related musculoskeletal disorders account for the largest proportion of workers’ compensation costs in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Studies demonstrate that assistive patient handling technology reduces workers’ compensation and medical treatment costs for musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare workers. Employers can recoup their initial investment in equipment and training within three years.

Within 36 months of the effective date of this act, each covered healthcare facility (such as a hospital, nursing home, licensed specialized care) shall establish a safe patient handling program to reduce the risk of injury to both patients and healthcare workers at the facility.

A safe patient handling policy that minimizes unassisted patient handling, taking into account the patient’s physical and cognitive condition and a policy that is consistent with the patient’s safety and well-being.

An assessment of what assistive devices are needed to carry out the safe patient handling policy;

A training program for healthcare workers who need to properly learn how to use the equipment;

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Larry Levin is one of the managing partners of Shor & Levin, P.C. - The Bulldog Lawyers. He has over 40 years of experience in representing the interests of Pennsylvania workers who have been injured on the job. Larry has dedicated his career to fighting for the rights of workers and helping them get back on their feet.

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